Can't Keep A Good Man Down

That Matt never ceases to amaze me with his resilience. He bounces back so well. The biggest hurdle about getting down is climbing back up and Matt always does just that. Yesterday he was in much better spirits. A resident who was doing a special exam on Matt had all the young medical students with him, so Matt had alot of attention. They tested his peripheral nerves or the ones that extend from his spinal cord to his body and extremeties. Matt can feel everything normally at about the C6 level, and then the feelings are less distinct. The resident tests Matt with dull and sharp to see if Matt can distinguish between the two. After the nipple area and down to his toes, Matt states it always feels dull, even when they are poking him with something sharp.
During OT, Matt played crib. He can now pick up al six cards at once but he can't open them up to see what they are. So he looks at them one at a time, memorizes what and where they are face down on the table, discards the two he doens't want and plays that way. He doesn't use the card holder any more which is a step up. Was able to take a trip outside and was less anxious. Still had a few "breathless" periods, but the resp therapist checked him over and stated it wasn't his lungs. However she did give him a royal tongue lashing about Matt not doing his breathing exercises, which are so important.
A social worker from Parkridge came over to talk with Matt about the move. Incidently, the social worker is related to Uncle Bob Thompson, small world!! She explained how everything workes. Matt will get 3 days a week rehab at Parkridge, then come to City 2 days a week as an outpatient. Matt was feeling pretty comfortable about the whole thing by the end of the talk.
Today was another good day. Matt again did his standing exercise, and was quite excited that he was able to take a small step with his right foot without any assistance. Overall he took 20 steps, with lots of help. Fantastic Matt!! Ask and you shall receive!
Went down to ICU and said his goodbyes. There were definetely a few tears shed in that room. Matt leaves for Parkridge at 10am tomorrow. Paul Gustafson came over to give his positive feelings about the move and Matt is really looking forward to it. We don't have much to worry about because Matt always has his cheerleaders beside him, making sure everyone tows the line. Paul also is encouraging Matt to practice self-catheterization, so he can do it himself instead of relying on someone else. Matt can void 200 mls into a urinary bottle, howwever his bladder holds 500 mls, so after an hour he still feels like he has to go. So still needs to use the catheter. But everything is getting better, however slow it may be. I was reminded of Fanny Crosby's old hymn "Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear his voice, praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice. O come, to the Father throught Jesus the Son, and give him the glory great things he hath done!" Prayers always need to followed with praise.